1. keithwhu asked Steve Bennedik: "Derry Nairn asks: If you were to be appointed media adviser to a parent whose child had been abducted, what advice would you give them, in the light of the McCann's experiences?"
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "I would advise them to work very closely with the police and to consider the detectives' advice. I would advise them that public exposure should be channelled to one aim, finding out what has happened..." Show more»" I would advise them to work very closely with the police and to consider the detectives' advice. I would advise them that public exposure should be channelled to one aim, finding out what has happened to your child. Having covered a few stories where parents have lost their children through death or abduction, I know some parents don't always behave rationally in these circumstances. But who would? I find it hard to imagine the strain these parents' must be going under. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 1:11:34 PM

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1. keithwhu asked Steve Bennedik: "Derry Nairn asks: What benefits, other than satisfying peoples' morbid curiosity, do you think the media coverage of the McCann case has brought?""
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "The media coverage of the McCann case should be considered in the context of developments over a seven-month-period, not looking back with the benefit of hindsight. When Madeleine first went missing, ..." Show more»" The media coverage of the McCann case should be considered in the context of developments over a seven-month-period, not looking back with the benefit of hindsight. When Madeleine first went missing, the media had a justifiable interest in reporting the story. Later, there was coverage of the police investigation and family appeals. Since the McCann’s returned to the UK, I think there has been less justification for coverage. But I think it's too easy to look back and label all that's happened as "satisfying peoples' morbid curiosity". "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 1:10:47 PM

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1. Londontowner asked Steve Bennedik: "Adam Boulton said at the Editors conference in Manchester today that many readers comments are 'not worth the paper they aren't printed on'. Do most comments about the McCann's bear that out?"
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "I think Adam was saying that despite the rise of online blogging and user contributions, we still require levels of professional reporting, expertise and analysis. All opinions are important and relevant..." Show more»" I think Adam was saying that despite the rise of online blogging and user contributions, we still require levels of professional reporting, expertise and analysis. All opinions are important and relevant to those who give them. People hold passionate views about the McCann’s, and the story of missing Madeleine. I think they have a right to give them and a right to debate the issues. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 8:36:28 AM

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1. MTyrrell asked Steve Bennedik: "The McCann's children were left unsupervised in their hotel room. If the parents were from a different socio-economic background would the media be asking the questions that many are asking and not trying..." Show more »"The McCann's children were left unsupervised in their hotel room. If the parents were from a different socio-economic background would the media be asking the questions that many are asking and not trying to normalise this issue?" Show less »
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "This argument has some justification. In the early days of the investigation, part of the pull of this story, for us and the public, was the fact that these were doctors, a supposedly ideal family unit...." Show more»" This argument has some justification. In the early days of the investigation, part of the pull of this story, for us and the public, was the fact that these were doctors, a supposedly ideal family unit. But I think by now all the questions have been asked, and the parents actions on the night Madeleine went missing have been properly scrutinised. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 8:35:30 AM

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1. PikkuMemy asked Steve Bennedik: "Sky News website has Mc Cann's story as a leading story still quite often? How can you justify that? You would think that there are lot's of more important things to cover than the story of one missing..." Show more »"Sky News website has Mc Cann's story as a leading story still quite often? How can you justify that? You would think that there are lot's of more important things to cover than the story of one missing girl?" Show less »
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "We've reported the Madeleine case extensively and comprehensively. Why? Because we, the rest of the media and the British public have recognised it as an extraordinary story with multi-layered fascination...." Show more»" We've reported the Madeleine case extensively and comprehensively. Why? Because we, the rest of the media and the British public have recognised it as an extraordinary story with multi-layered fascination. We know the public have been and still are fascinated, data from the stories selected on our news website tells us so. Usually the media shines a light on a story, illuminates it for a while, and then moves on. With Madeleine, we have stayed shining the light probably longer than we should. We have only just removed a section heading from our list of sections. It's upset a lot of people. It's difficult moving on when you know the public appetite remains so strong, but as I wrote in the editor's blog, the move is a recognition that after seven months, the Madeleine story is no longer dominating the news in the way it was, and we can no longer justify its prominence. One of the advantages of online is that we can offer lots of different stories, and the let the users decide which ones they want to click on and read. It's a more non-linear service than the traditional television news bulletin. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 8:34:21 AM

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1. ryanscribe asked Steve Bennedik: "Hi Steve - I wondered how the Portuguese media restrictions had hindered or helped the media report on the case here? Do you know if there was much difference to the way it was reported overseas (non-..." Show more »"Hi Steve - I wondered how the Portuguese media restrictions had hindered or helped the media report on the case here? Do you know if there was much difference to the way it was reported overseas (non-UK)?" Show less »
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "It's difficult for me to judge media restrictions in Portugal. From the British media's point of view, it has hindered coverage, and I believe has been detrimental to the investigation. It has also allowed..." Show more»" It's difficult for me to judge media restrictions in Portugal. From the British media's point of view, it has hindered coverage, and I believe has been detrimental to the investigation. It has also allowed a vacuum, which has been filled to some extent by speculation both by the Portuguese press and the British media. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 8:31:47 AM

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1. Londontowner asked Steve Bennedik: "What for you has been the worst coverage of the McCann case? Has there ever been a time when you have worried that the media or a certain publication has gone to far?"
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "Since the McCann's have returned to the UK, I think a lot of the coverage has been over the top. The Daily Express and others have clearly led on the Madeleine story because they know it will boost readership...." Show more»" Since the McCann's have returned to the UK, I think a lot of the coverage has been over the top. The Daily Express and others have clearly led on the Madeleine story because they know it will boost readership. I am sure they'd say the public don't have to buy the newspapers. It's not just the papers. Panorama and Tonight with Trevor McDonald have also been examining the case recently. When the Tonight programme looked at the media coverage of the Madeleine McCann case and asked if there was a witch-hunt, I am sure they were well aware that a programme about Madeleine wouldn't do any harm for their ratings. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 8:31:04 AM

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1. the6thestate asked Steve Bennedik: "Do you think the fact that the McCann's have employed professional media spokepeople has helped the media coverage of the abduction, or indeed, the attempts to solve the case ? "
2. Steve Bennedik answer: "I don't think employing professional media spokespeople has done any harm, for the case or for the McCann's. I think they have benefited from getting professional advice. I am sure there are some critics..." Show more»" I don't think employing professional media spokespeople has done any harm, for the case or for the McCann's. I think they have benefited from getting professional advice. I am sure there are some critics who say they lit the bonfire of publicity and so deserved to be burnt. But I think once it gets out of control - and for them it probably felt like it was getting out of control - they need some level of protection. It's not easy dealing with a competitive media. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Media   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 26 2007 8:28:48 AM

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